Jun. 08, 2025

Series: Transformed   6-8-25

LEARNING TO TRUST GOD’S PLAN

(Romans 9)

Learning to Trust God’s Plan:

    1. Paul has Unceasing Anguish in his Heart for his People’s ____________

(Paul reflects the heart of the father)

Romans 9:2–3 (ESV) ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For… my brothers...

Romans 1:14–16 ¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…

TWO TYPES of SINS: COMMISSION & ______________________.

Mark 5:18–19 ¹⁸ As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”

• God holds us most responsible for those of whom we already have __________________________.

                                YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE:

•   Family (John 1:40-46)

•   _________________ (John 4:39-42)

•   Coworkers & ____________________ (Acts 18:1-4)

•   The Gym, Sports, Clubs (John 4:4-30)

(You will need to be ____________________!)

Paul Expresses his Frustration, “How can they Not Get It?”

Romans 9:2–5 (ESV) ⁴ They are Israelites, (God’s Chosen People) and to them belong the adoption, (Heirs of the Kingdom) the glory, (Shekinah Glory) the covenants, the giving of the law, the (Temple) worship, and the promises. ⁵ To them belong the patriarchs, (that God’s Promises were Handed Down through) and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ… (Messiah!)

Question: Am I passionate for the salvation of people I already know?

   2. God always Fulfills His Promises, but not always how we____________.

 (Paul educates us on how God is now fulfilling His promise)

Romans 9:6–8 (ESV) ⁶ For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, ⁷ and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring… ⁸ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring... 

• The Jews Felt Pushed Out & ____________________!

Ephesians 2:13, 19 ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you (Gentiles) who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ… ¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,

You can’t get to Heaven on someone else’s Ticket:

        •      “My mother was a Christian so...”               Salvation by Maternity

        •      “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just be sincere.”         Salvation by                    SINCERITY

        •      “I’ll give up all my bad habits.”                    Salvation by Subtraction

        •      “I’ll work real hard and earn it.”                   Salvation by Service

        •      “I’ll be religious and go to church.”             Salvation by the SCALE

Question: Can I still trust God when His plan is different than I expected?

  3. God can be Trusted even when you Don't Understand_________________

        (Paul reminds us about God’s merciful sovereignty)

Romans 9:14–15 ¹⁴ What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! ¹⁵ For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 

• God shows Mercy to people Not because they Deserve it, but because He Loves to ______________ it.

Paul reminds us: God is the Creator, and We are his Creation:

Romans 9:20–21 ²⁰ But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” ²¹Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

• God is God, nothing less; man is man, nothing _______________!

Question: Have I trusted in His mercy rather than my merit?

4. God has a bigger & better Plan than we can typically _________.

     (Paul reassures us that It’s worth the wait to God)

Romans 9:22–23 ²² What if God… bore with great patience the objects of his wrath? … ²³ What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—

• God was Exercising _____________________!

2 Peter 3:9 ⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Question: Do I long for Jesus return more than invest in those far from God?

5. We are “Made Right with God” by Trusting _________________.

  (Paul cautions us about manmade righteousness)

Romans 9:30–32 (ESV) ³⁰ What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; ³¹ but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. ³² Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works.

The Weighing of the Heart Ceremony:

• “Sin” (Heb. “Hata”) = to miss the mark, to not hit the target. 

             (Deals with ACTIONS)

• “Sin” (Gk. “Hamartia”) = missing the true end and scope of our lives, 

               which is God.        (Deals with PURPOSE)

Romans 8:28 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

• “Purpose” (Gk. “prothesis”) – Purpose or PLAN. When used of the purpose of God, it exclusively refers to salvation. (“called according to His plan of salvation”) 

Question: Have I truly trusted Jesus, or am I trying to earn God’s favor?